Book Club Extraordinaire

Brooke Geahan’s Accompanied Literary Society is anything but your average book club.

Made up of authors, journalists, artists and intellectuals, the society was created by Geahan to support literature and the arts. Their events have featured readings and presentations from acclaimed authors Jhumpa Lahiri, Rick Moody and Jonathan Ames as well as entertainment heavyweights Bono, Jodie Foster and Yoko Ono.

Last Thursday, writer/director Paul Haggis (known for his Oscar winning film Crash) hosted Art in a Time of Crisis, the Fall Fundraiser for Accompanied Literary Society. The event screened his latest film, In the Valley of Elah starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon. Haggis’ heart-wrenching tale about a father’s search for the truth behind his son’s disappearance following his return from Iraq was loosely based on a story by Mark Boal, entitled Death and Dishonor, originally published in Playboy’s May 2004 issue.

Before discussing his inspiration for the film, Haggis joked with the audience saying that he was, “one of those guys that reads Playboy for the articles!” A cocktail reception followed at Jour et Nuit (formerly Frederick’s on 58th Street) where notable guests and members including Waris Ahluwalia, Chiara Clemente, Arden Wohl, Lewis Lapham (former Harper’s Monthly editor), Lily Cole, Todd Eberle and David Shamoon participated in intellectual discourse about the film’s message which was decidedly pro-America yet anti-war.

The somber message of the film hardly dampened the spirit of the guests which became very lively when Geahan (dressed in a sexy Dennis Basso) hopped onto a dinner table to announce the commencement of the live auction which was MC’d by board member Emma Snowdon-Jones and Paul Haggis. A friendly bidding war between Jim Clark (former Netscape founder) and his son Mike ensued over the Elite Models dinner hosted by Victoria’s Secret “Aussie angel” Kristy Hinze and her friends (which was humorous given that Hinze happens to be Clark senior’s girlfriend). Other items included a 3-night stay at Eugene O’Neill’s Sea Island retreat, Casa Genotta and a Tribeca Grand screening party. The money raised from the benefit will be dedicated to plans for a new cultural center downtown for Accompanied members.

Memberships to Accompanied Literary Society include invitations to exclusive cultural and literary events including readings, lectures, panel discussions and private dinners with award winning writers and artists.

There are three tiers of membership ($5000 for lifetime membership, $1000 for society and $500 for accompanied), including a special emerging artist membership which can be arranged by contacting member@accompaniedliterarysociety.org.

Photos by Will Ragozzino and Neil Rasmus of PMc.